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Stormers in the dock on Wednesday

Mon, 13 May 2013 13:47

The Stormers' judicial hearing, which has been postponed twice, has been rescheduled for this week.

This follows a complaint made to SANZAR about alleged misconduct by the Stormers and their team management during their match against the Hurricanes in Palmerston North last month.

In a brief statement SANZAR said the judicial hearing will resume on Wednesday, May 15.

The hearing was adjourned twice last week - first on Tuesday and then again Thursday - to ensure the Cape Town-based franchise get a fair hearing.

Judicial officer Adam Casselden last week had to withdraw from the process due to concerns that a fair hearing was no longer possible, because of the disclosure of certain information to him.

Neither SANZAR nor the Stormers would say what the mysterious complaint related to and stressed they would not comment until the hearing is complete.

However, according to reports in the New Zealand media - quoting assistant referee Sheldon Eden-Whaitiri - the match official was subjected to "constant criticism" for the duration of the match, including being told he needed to go back to club rugby.

According to 3 News Eden-Whaitiri accused Stormers officials of calling him a 'cheat', subjecting him to constant swearing and abuse including the suggestion that he should go back to club rugby and that he had a cross on a chest for his performance as an assistant referee in Palmerston North.